Wild on Western brings big brothers and sisters
Rebecca Jania
Issue date: 11/16/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Saturday a group of Western Illinois university's college student personnel graduate students gave Macomb Big Brothers/Big Sisters an opportunity to enjoy activities on campus with a special event, Wild on Western.
Sixteen Little Brothers and Sisters and four Big Brothers and Sisters got their faces painted, watched a movie in Sandburg Theatre and enjoyed a variety of other activities.
"We started off the morning with games and crafts. The kids made picture frames and had their faces painted," said Christine Heaton, college student personnel graduate student. "After a couple hours of that, we went to Thompson for lunch. After lunch, we came back to Horrabin to see House Arrest 2 and the GBCC Dance Troupe.
"After they performed, we took the kids bowling for an hour and then to end the day, they got to see Batman Begins."
Alana Barnes, CSP first-year grad student, said the Little Brothers and Little Sisters appeared to enjoy bowling in the University Union the most.
Heaton agreed the siblings enjoyed this event, but said participants each had their own favorite activities.
"Each child was different and would probably have a different (favorite activity). It seemed that they just enjoyed being on campus.
"A lot of them liked bowling, a lot of them enjoyed the movie and I think they all enjoyed eating," Heaton said.
According to Barnes and Heaton, there were eight volunteers from various groups around campus, including Western's All-Volunteer Effort and the GBCC.
"The volunteers who helped us seemed to enjoy it too and really jumped right in," Heaton said.
Barnes, who solicited sponsorship and donations for the event, said her favorite part of this event was spending time with the little brothers and little sisters.
"(My favorite part of this event was) having fun and interacting with kids. (I also enjoyed) showing them what Western has to offer. Many of them had never been on a college campus before," Barnes said.
Heaton, who coordinated with the bowling alley, arranged the House Arrest 2 performance and assisted a fellow student in organizing games and crafts, said she feels the event went well.
"I think Wild on Western was successful. I think everyone involved had a good time," Heaton said. "The response we got from Big Brothers/Big Sisters was great. They were excited about this opportunity for the kids."
According to Barnes, Wild on Western was planned as part of a college student personnel class project.
"We decided to do this project because it allowed us to give to the Macomb community and also learn more about the town that surrounds Western," Barnes said.
Individuals who are interested in learning more about BB/BS should call the McDonough County chapter at 309/837-KIDS (5437).
Sixteen Little Brothers and Sisters and four Big Brothers and Sisters got their faces painted, watched a movie in Sandburg Theatre and enjoyed a variety of other activities.
"We started off the morning with games and crafts. The kids made picture frames and had their faces painted," said Christine Heaton, college student personnel graduate student. "After a couple hours of that, we went to Thompson for lunch. After lunch, we came back to Horrabin to see House Arrest 2 and the GBCC Dance Troupe.
"After they performed, we took the kids bowling for an hour and then to end the day, they got to see Batman Begins."
Alana Barnes, CSP first-year grad student, said the Little Brothers and Little Sisters appeared to enjoy bowling in the University Union the most.
Heaton agreed the siblings enjoyed this event, but said participants each had their own favorite activities.
"Each child was different and would probably have a different (favorite activity). It seemed that they just enjoyed being on campus.
"A lot of them liked bowling, a lot of them enjoyed the movie and I think they all enjoyed eating," Heaton said.
According to Barnes and Heaton, there were eight volunteers from various groups around campus, including Western's All-Volunteer Effort and the GBCC.
"The volunteers who helped us seemed to enjoy it too and really jumped right in," Heaton said.
Barnes, who solicited sponsorship and donations for the event, said her favorite part of this event was spending time with the little brothers and little sisters.
"(My favorite part of this event was) having fun and interacting with kids. (I also enjoyed) showing them what Western has to offer. Many of them had never been on a college campus before," Barnes said.
Heaton, who coordinated with the bowling alley, arranged the House Arrest 2 performance and assisted a fellow student in organizing games and crafts, said she feels the event went well.
"I think Wild on Western was successful. I think everyone involved had a good time," Heaton said. "The response we got from Big Brothers/Big Sisters was great. They were excited about this opportunity for the kids."
According to Barnes, Wild on Western was planned as part of a college student personnel class project.
"We decided to do this project because it allowed us to give to the Macomb community and also learn more about the town that surrounds Western," Barnes said.
Individuals who are interested in learning more about BB/BS should call the McDonough County chapter at 309/837-KIDS (5437).
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